Dr. Dolittle (1998)
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44% of critics liked it
(50 reviews) -
46% of users liked it
(815,345 ratings)
Betty Thomas directed this adaptation of the classic children's stories by Hugh Lofting (1886-1947), updating the original concepts into the present day. When noted surgeon Dr. John Dolittle (Eddie Murphy) swerves his car to avoid hitting a dog, he hits his head on the windshield, triggering his… More Betty Thomas directed this adaptation of the classic children's stories by Hugh Lofting (1886-1947), updating the original concepts into the present day. When noted surgeon Dr. John Dolittle (Eddie Murphy) swerves his car to avoid hitting a dog, he hits his head on the windshield, triggering his long-dormant gift for holding conversations with animals. Friends, associates and his wife Lisa (Kristen Wilson), all express concern, but Dr. Dolittle is happy as he takes on new animal clients. Soon Dolittle's clinic becomes a haven for talking rats, birds, and other assorted members of the animal kingdom, and Dolittle's new four-legged and furry friends, in turn, teach him a few things about being human. The effects seamlessly combine Jim Henson Creature Shop animatronics, computer graphics, and real animals, but some viewers might yearn for a return of the Great Pink Sea Snail and Lofting's other imaginative creatures. The 1967 20th Century Fox musical Dr. Dolittle starred Rex Harrison in a strange storyline that began with Dolittle escaping from a lunatic asylum and leaving the Victorian village Puddleby-by-the-Marsh, England, to search the South Seas for the Great Pink Sea Snail. Along the way, he gathered diverse Dolittle denizens and animal anomalies, including the Giant Moon Moth and the famed, two-headed Pushmi-Pullyu. The earlier film spawned the Oscar-winning popular song success, "Talk To The Animals," along with numerous now-forgotten toys, books, and collectibles. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi
- Directed By
- Betty Thomas
- Written By
- Nat Mauldin, Larry Levinson
- Genres
- Comedy, Kids & Family
PG-13,
- In Theaters
- Jun 26, 1998 Wide
- Studio
- 20th Century Fox
Critic Reviews
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Leonard Klady, Variety
Slim on story and rife with scatological jokes, the film may strike a chord with pre-teens but misses for an older crowd despite some nifty effects and broad humor.
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Derek Adams, Time Out
Murphy's likeable, the script's laden with a gaggle of one-liners, and there's even a vague message nestling beneath the zoological chaos.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The movie will not harm anyone, and in the audience I saw it with, lots of parents and kids seemed to be laughing together.
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Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com
The old actor's rule -- never work with animals or kids -- has never seemed more apt. The animals steal the scene from Murphy every time, and he gives it up gladly.
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Bob Graham, San Francisco Chronicle
Dr. Dolittle runs out of ideas long before the projector runs out of film.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Eddie Murphy
as Dr. John Dolittle
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Ossie Davis
as Archer Dolittle
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Oliver Platt
as Dr. Mark Weller
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Peter Boyle
as Calloway
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Richard Schiff
as Dr. Gene Reiss
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Kristen Wilson
as Lisa Dolittle
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Jeffrey Tambor
as Dr. Fish
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Kyla Pratt
as Maya Dolittle
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Raven Symone
as Charisse Dolittle
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Steven Gilborn
as Dr. Litvack
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Norm Macdonald
as Lucky
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Albert Brooks
as Jacob
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Chris Rock
as Rodney
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Reni Santoni
as Rat #1
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John Leguizamo
as Rat #2
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Julie Kavner
as Female Pigeon
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Garry Shandling
as Male Pigeon
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Gilbert Gottfried
as Compulsive Dog
- Ellen DeGeneres
- Krisen Wilson
- Brian Doyle-Murray
- Jenna Elfman
- Paul Reubens
